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Captain James Cook explores the east coast of Australia
He calls it New South Wales. -
Cook claims NSW for Great Britain
Cook reached the southern coast of New South Wales in 1770 and sailed north, charting Australia's eastern coastline and claiming the land for Great Britain -
Arrival of the First Fleet
The First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay. Leaving Portsmouth, England, on 13 May, the First Fleet was at sea for more than 252 days. -
South Australian women gain voting rights
By 1901 most Australian women can vote. -
Australia officially named
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WA was founded
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Gold is discovered in New South Wales.
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Victoria was establised
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Battle of the Eureka Stockade, Ballarat.
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Queensland was established
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Six colonies federated into the Commonwealth of Australia.
WA and South Australia joined federation -
Canberra was founded
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World War I
330,000 Australians serve; 60,000 are killed, 165,000 wounded. -
World War I ends
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Federal parliament moves from Melbourne to Canberra.
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World War II
Australian Air Force active in Britain; navy operates in the Mediterranean; soldiers fight in North Africa and the Pacific. -
World War II ends